New BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.1.5 Now Available In Beta Zone For Some Users

After a short delay from the initially scheduled release, Research In Motion has just sent off emails with links for BlackBerry Messenger 5.0.1.5 to some in the BlackBerry world. The changes overall seem to be back end work that has no impact for users visually. A few things have been added that users might notice however. Keep in mind not all beta testers were sent the release today and more will be sent out later. We got some screenshots and explanations of what's new after the jump

First up, we no have the option to adjust how contacts and groups are displayed. Not stylistically but rather 1 line or 2 line. Two line now shows bigger expanded sections for BB Groups while leaving it at 1 line now hides contact avatars or reduces their size if any are set, assumingly to speed up how BlackBerry Messenger works.

Previously the option was available to auto accept voice notes. The new addition here is that now, when you decide to send a voice note to a user, if the above box is chosen the voice notes recorder launches within BBM in a better styled interface which allows you to send your voicenote.

SMS Contact integration in BlackBerry Messenger has been worked on as well. While it's a little to early to say how well it's working over previous versions, it does show that RIM is aware that it's not the best at the moment and does indeed need to be fixed up.

There you have it -- we're sure there are a few other things we're not quite seeing yet so, if you've spotted something feel free to let us know in the comments. If you're among those still waiting to get in on the beta, don't feel so bad. It's not as if it's a huge overall to BlackBerry Merssenger that everyone will want. Quite frankly, it just looks like BlackBerry Messenger of past.

For everyone complaining that CrackBerry is going to "ruin the beta testing for everyone"...
How many times have you seen something "Confidential" posted on CB (from RIM or otherwise), and how many times have you seen CB get in trouble for any of those posts? In the 2 years I have been a member of CB, I've seen only a couple of posts be removed for whatever reason. Typically, if they have overstepped their bounds, a picture or video gets pulled, and the post remains.
As with things such as leaks, be it OS, screenshots, etc... how many of you have ever stopped to think: is a leak really an accident? Or is it an efficient way to beta test or get opinions on things without having any liability?

Stop worrying so much about the beta program being ruined. The guys at CB are smart. You don't get to be the #1 BlackBerry site without learning a thing or two along the way. ;)

won't be long before the beta version will be available for others... you know how it goes with leaks... they will appear as OTA's or Zip files somewhere online. And that's the way the cookie crumbles...

1) release a unique version to a limited distribution list.
2) keep releasing different limited distributions until a leak shows up
3) identify the list that must have leaked the version, because only that group got the version that was leaked.
4) split the group in 2 or 3 or more.
5) send each new group a different limited version
6) repeat until the group is only 1 person deep or keep mixing the groups until a single individual is singled out and BINGO!

understandable but the poster signed into an aggreement/contract stating he/she would not share beta info. its one thing for the info to be leaked to the reporter but for the reporter to intentially leak information from a testing area he/she is part of ...

Hi continental european here. I'm in the beta zone, should I get a nomination will post details. I think it's childish enough anyway that they're excluding Europe, so anything to spite them/anyone on here being so stuck up.

It tells you when you don't follow the rules. I can't remember the specifics of the requirement because I registered a while ago, but I remember it tells you what you did wrong when you use a password it doesn't like.

Someone obviously violated the ToS for the beta site by leaking this info as well as the screenshots. I am a beta tester and haven't received the email yet. It is common courtesy (as well as a legal obligation) to honor the NDA when beta testing software I suggest removing this post before you ruin it for everyone.

I don't think RIM will close down the beta site because crackberry posted a story on it. To the people bashing the poster, try it for yourself before bashing someone else. Just because it is supposed to be overhaul and not overall. He is new cut him some slack.

Beta testers shouldn't be discuss this BBM outside of RIM's site. If you're not a tester do what you want. I'm a tester, I got selected this morning. Totally surprised RIM is actually doing this and don't want to lose the chance to do it again. To testers our there... Keep it real and inside RIM's site...

They are staging the release of the beta to a certain number of users at a time.

Not sure how I feel either about this being posted here as it obviously means someone violated the agreement they signed. Quick way to get the beta shut down (anyone remember the skyfire beta that was trashed because of leaks?)

just signing up for the beta zone doesn't get you into the bbm test group. You had to sign up for the bbm test once you got onto the beta group. Middle of the home beta zone home page on the right side shows the programs that are available for testing.

Ive been a member of the beta zone since the day RIM announced it, and i have never had any option to join the BBM group. I have been interested in how they offer these things to people. The only thing I can sign up for is a curve beta for Canada users only. And i use a bold in the us. oh well.

In my opinion, it's fine if there are typos and grammar problems if the readers are still able to comprehend the article...however, as is the case with some of the blogs on here, (not naming names anymore, because people are getting too serious and mad about this), one can't always understand the article. General typos such as "i liek" instead of "I like" - who cares? But when there are tons of comma problems and other grammar issues like that, things start to become a problem, because sentences can be read two, sometimes three different ways, etc etc.

But, you can make it into a game, too: "Okay, so I'm THINKING _____(so&so) meant THIS, but, the way this is written, he could also have meant THAT...hmm!!"

It's come to our attention that content from a beta program on BlackBerry Beta Zone has been quoted verbatim on another website. This action is unacceptable and violates the Terms and Conditions that all members of BlackBerry Beta Zone agree to upon joining the site. Specifically,

"You acknowledge and agree that: (a) the successful market launch of commercial versions of RIM products and/or services requires You to keep all content discussed on or contained in the Site (the "Content") strictly confidential; (b) the premature release of any of the Content would damage RIM's competitive edge and intellectual property rights; (c) the Content shall not be shared with anyone other than other authorized users of the Site; and (d) only Content that has been publicly released by RIM may be discussed or shown to the public."

All members are reminded of these obligations of confidentiality. By adhering to this legal agreement, BlackBerry Beta Zone will continue to serve as the official channel to test and provide feedback on BlackBerry products. Members who violate these terms may be banned from the site. Thank you for your cooperation.

I have mixed feelings about this story being on the Crackberry site. I know we like to have all the BB info as it becomes available, but sharing this stuff is going to make RIM close the door they opened for us via the Beta Zone. Anybody can join the Beta Zone, so just go do it if you want to know these things. I think we would all hate to lose this opportunity.

Great Job!! Like someone else said you made a point and backed it up, I can't stand it when people want to correct someone else's mistake and they don't even notice when they're wrong. But if you try to correct them they blow up and act as if you're the idiot.

If you really wanted to correct his grammatical mistakes you would just tell him that in written language do not use contractions. Its should not be it's, but rather it is. Also you do not have to have two spaces after ending punctuation, it is accepted with one or two spaces. Just saying.

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